Rockin the night away

I had the best intentions today. I was going to spend this evening catching up on some blogs, doing a little William Faulkner research and cleaning up my email. I've neglected them all the last few days because of some unexpected engine troubles and then soon after, a 24 hour trip over to Corpus Christi.

But just before I settled in front of my computer with a cup of coffee, I caught wind of the benefit concert that was going on live in New York for the victims of hurricane Sandy. It was on TV. The line up of artists included, Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, Alicia Keys, Bruce Springsteen, The Who, Billy Joel, Chris Martin and Paul McCartney. Damn. There goes the evening plans.

As a old fan of rock, I always love watching the pioneers perform even if some qualify for medicaid  Up until tonight, I always argued ( with the younger population ) that the old guys, The Stones, The Who, Clapton, Led Zepplin, even in their advanced age, could out rock any young group any time any place.
That was until tonight.

I hate to say this, but I think it's time they wheel Kieth Richards off stage, and Mick Jagger, who looks awesome and is in great shape can't hide the fact that he is approaching 70. There's nothing wrong with 70, but I think you need to stop ripping your shirt off and swaying your hips to "Start me Up" when your 70. I don't know, am I getting old?

Eric Clapton was amazing, because he wasn't pretending it was 1969. He was playing the hell out of that guitar as a 60 something. It worked.

The Who, well, I will go on record saying that they were my favorite band and I was always amazed at how good Roger Daultry, the lead singer sounded, even as he was getting older. But you can only run a marathon for so long. Sooner or later, you can't complete the 26 miles. Tonight, Roger showed that he had hit the wall. Just can't hit the high notes any longer. Pete Townshen, the lead guitar player who made his name way back at a little concert called Woodstock, still has it. He doesn't play as angry as he did in his youth, but that old boy can still rock.

I was following Facebook as I watched the concert, anxious at what my young friends would be saying. One person said, "Roger Daultry looks like the queen." As a Who fan, my heart skipped a beat. I wanted to comment, to defend him, but I couldn't. I had to agree. In a certain light he did resemble the queen.
That's a bummer.

For those keeping score:
Billy Joel, not a huge Joel fan but I appreciate what he does and he did a good job. He was good.
Alica Keys. On a scale of 1 to 100, she gets a 100. Have you seen this girl? And she can sing too.
Chris Martin, I caught the end of his act, he was good.
Paul McCartney, he's freekin PAUL MCCARTNEY. Of course he gets a 100.

Anyway, it was a pleasant way to spend the evening.
Did you happen to see it?